The present invention relates to a system device and method for monitoring infant oral motor kinetics (OMK), which can be used to assess the functional significance of the different sucking components, i.e., the plasticity of infant sucking skills in relation to their oral feeding performance, at a particular time, during the developmental period and/or during preventive or therapeutic intervention programs. It is a unique system and apparatus that provides a means to study the nonnutritive and/or nutritive sucking skills, i.e., the Suction and/or Expression components of sucking, of infants in the natural setting, i.e., during a normal feeding session. OMK sensors, tracked in real-time by the monitoring system, include miniature pressure transducers, or pressure sensitive pads, attached to the nipple for measuring intraoral pressure pulses during Suction, and for measuring compression/stripping pressure pulses during Expression; and a miniature flow sensor for measuring fluid flow rate, which can be integrated over time to determine the volume of milk removed (bolus) per suck. Other signals, such as respiration, swallowing, thermal, optical, and acoustic signals can be recorded and compared along with the instrumented-nipple signals, in an OMK monitoring system.

Devices for controlling delivery of a breast milk supplement are described which include a housing sized for placement on a surface near a breast region of a lactating female, the housing including one or more supplement reservoirs, at least one of the supplement reservoirs including a port with a controllable valve, a data storage component including a breast milk supplement regimen, and a control unit including a microprocessor and circuitry, the control unit operably coupled to the data storage component and to the controllable valve, the circuitry including actuation circuitry configured to actuate the controllable valve based on the breast milk supplement regimen; and at least one delivery tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the at least one delivery tube in fluid communication with the port, the second end of the at least one delivery tube configured for placement in proximity to a nipple of the lactating female.

Devices for controlling delivery of a breast milk supplement are described which include a housing sized for placement on a surface near a breast region of a lactating female, the housing including one or more supplement reservoirs, at least one of the supplement reservoirs including a port with a controllable valve, a data storage component including a breast milk supplement regimen, and a control unit including a microprocessor and circuitry, the control unit operably coupled to the data storage component and to the controllable valve, the circuitry including actuation circuitry configured to actuate the controllable valve based on the breast milk supplement regimen; and at least one delivery tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of the at least one delivery tube in fluid communication with the port, the second end of the at least one delivery tube configured for placement in proximity to a nipple of the lactating female.

Briefly, a feeding device embodying features of the present invention approximately conforms to the shape of a human breast and includes at least one housing for storing fluid coupled to a dispensing portion having an apertured dispensing tip for delivering the fluid to an infant.

Briefly, a feeding device embodying features of the present invention approximately conforms to the shape of a human breast and includes at least one housing for storing fluid coupled to a dispensing portion having an apertured dispensing tip for delivering the fluid to an infant.

The present invention is an improved therapeutic breast pack that helps enhance the breastfeeding experience. The invention provides the user with moist heat long enough to provide therapy to both breasts individually, before nursing and/or pumping. The present invention is filled with dried lavender buds in addition to the whole flaxseed. The flaxseed provides the moist heat (when warmed in microwave), and the dried lavender buds provides relaxation aromatherapy to the mother and baby. Relaxation can help the mother release milk easier, and can help the baby soothe and latch easier. The product is designed so the middle is open to protect the mother's nipple while providing therapy to her breast. Finally, the present invention has a microwavable, removable and machine washable cover. This allows for easy cleaning and usage. The cover does not need to be removed when warming the product in the microwave.

A health care system for a caregiver to monitor and manage sleep metric, patterns and quality for an infant, including: a) a base station in communication with a network, b) one or more sensors in communication with the base station, c) a caregiver communication device in communication with the network; and d) a remote server and associated data store in communication with the network. The remote server is operative to: 1) access information from the information store indicating caregiver typing traits, 2) receive information from the sensors indicating a sleep quality for the infant, 3) receive information from the caregiver communication device indicating a caregiver perception of sleep quality for the infant, 4) recommend at least one caregiver action as a function of the caregiver typing traits, the sleep quality measures and the caregiver perception of the sleep quality; and 5) transmit the recommended action to the caregiver communication device.

A health care system for a new mother to monitor and manage breastfeeding metric, patterns and quality for an infant, including: a) a base station in communication with a network, b) one or more sensors in communication with the base station, c) a new mother communication device in communication with the network; and d) a remote server and associated data store in communication with the network. The remote server is operative to: 1) access information from the information store indicating new mother typing traits, 2) receive information from the sensors indicating a breastfeeding quality for the infant, 3) receive information from the new mother communication device indicating a new mother perception of feeding quality for the infant, 4) recommend at least one new mother action as a function of the new mother typing traits, the breastfeeding quality measures and the new mother perception of the breastfeeding quality; and 5) transmit the recommended action to the new mother communication device.

Systems and methods for pumping milk from a breast responsive to a controller, wherein the milk is expressed from the breast under suction and milk is expulsed from the pumping mechanism to a collection container under positive pressure.

A breast pump device for pumping breast milk is disclosed. The breast pump device may include a breast shield for receiving a breast, a collection container for receiving breast milk, a tubing connecting the breast shield to the collection container, and a pump connected to the collection container, configured to draw breast milk from the breast shield, through the tubing, and into the collection container. The breast shield may include a channel extending from an interior portion of the breast shield located near a nipple of the breast to an exterior portion of the breast shield. The various components of the breast pump device may be made out of antimicrobial materials. One or more sensors and/or computing devices may be incorporated to measure the amount of milk produced, monitor temperature of the milk, and provide alerts regarding pumping schedules.